Means for raising sunken ships



E. T. BARTLETT.

MEANS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS.

APPLICATIONHLED MAR. 22. |91 9.

"1,309,111." Patented July 8, 1919.

w/rA/Ess; 76.4, 1 nwewroe M dward 71Barf/erz2 JTIWRNEK EDWARD T. BARTLETT, 0F LLANARGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEANS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed March 22, 1919. Serial No. 284,358.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. BARTLETT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at ends hereinafter set forth the invention,

generally stated, comprises the combination of a series of pontoons, connections between the pontoons for drawing and holding them up to the sides or wall of sunken hull or vessel, drills carried by the pontoons and adapted to penetrate and engage the walls or sides of the hull, and means for controlling the connections and drills from the surface.

The invention will be claimed at the end hereof but will be first described in connec tion with the embodiment of 'it chosen for illustration in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and in which- Figure 1, is a diagrammatic plan view showing the pontoons connected in loop form and encircling and held up to the hull.

Fig. 2, is an elevational view of the same.

Figs. 3, and 4:, are a vertical and a transverse sectional view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of one of the pontoons, and

Fig. 5, is a transverse sectional view diagrammatically showing one of the pontoon drills engaging the ships wall or side.

In the drawings 1, are the pontoons of a series connected together in loop or ring form by a connection 2, which maybe of cable, chain or the like. 3, are drills carried by the pontoons and adapted to penetrate the wall or side 1, of the ship, or more 7 to draw and hold the pontoons up to the accurately, the plates forming the skin'of the hull. The drills are shown as inclined and when this is done the engagement is made more secure.

In use a ring or loop ofpontoons 1, connected by the connections 2, is sunk around the hull and then the connections 2, are shortened to contract the loop and draw the pontoons up to the sides of the hull and hold them there, and while the pontoons are thus held the drills 8, are driven into the hull, thus attaching the pontoons to the hull, so that when the pontoons are raised they bring up or float the hull. The adjustment of the connection 2, and the operation of the drills 3, are controlled from the surface.

For the sake of a more full description but not by way of limitation I have shown the drills 3, operated by motors 4, and the winch or winches 5, for adjusting the connection 2, operated by motors 6, and I have also shown these motors i and 6, as electric motors arranged in a dry compartment of the pontoon. 7, indicates connections for raising the pontoons by expelling water from and supplying air to them. The motors 1 and 6, and connections 7 are controlled and operated from the surface by means of suitable cables or connections connected with the pontoons, or with a master pontoon which in turn is connected with the other pontoons, and extending to an appropriately outfitted ship or vessel. The connections which extend to the surface are not shown as an attempt to do so would confuse the drawing and besides they can be readily understood without illustration.

I claim:

1. In means for raising sunken ships-the combination of a series of pontoons, means for connecting the pontoons in loop form, devices for shortening the connecting means to draw and hold the pontoons up to the sides of the ship, and drills carried by the pontoons and adapted to enter the sides of the ship to secure the pontoons thereto, substantially as described.

2. In means for raising sunken ships the combination of a series of pontoons, means for connecting the pontoons in loop form, devices for shortening the connecting means sides of the ship, and inclined drills carried by the pontoons and adapted to enter the 7 sides of the ship to secure the pontoons thereto, substantially as described.

EDWARD T. BARTLETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G." v 

